SAINT PAUL, MN – Today, on the day the DACA Program was originally set to expire, State Senator Patricia Torres Ray (DFL-Minneapolis) and Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL-Minneapolis) introduced a resolution to urge President Trump and Congress to continue the federal DACA program, encourage a permanent pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and to continue the Temporary Protected Status.

Due to Supreme Court intervention, the DACA expiration date is pending. However, March 5 is a reminder of President Trump’s original plan to end the program, putting 800,000 Dreamers at risk of deportation.

“I’m very disappointed with the lack of action in Washington, and dismayed to see that the lives of these children have been used as political pawns,” remarked Sen. Torres Ray. “Congress needs to listen to the 83 percent of Americans who support a pathway to citizenship for these young Americans.”

“Today marks the date that President Trump targeted for the expiration of the DACA program,” said Rep. Hornstein.“Congress needs to act now to provide a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers while also preserving the current visa lottery and family reunification programs that are currently in place.”

“The Minnesota legislature must also be on record supporting DACA and we call for speedy passage of the resolution we are introducing today,” the legislators said. “Such action will send a strong message to our Congressional delegation.”

The two legislators’ resolution also calls upon Congress to restore and strengthen the DACA and TPS programs without linking those actions to other changes in immigration policy, including policies ending family reunification and the visa lottery system.